MILWAUKEE, WI, USA — Labelexpo Americas 2004, staged earlier this month near Chicago, "has been labeled best yet by the industry," says exposition organizer Tarsus. "More than 400 leading industry suppliers exhibited to nearly 13,000 visitors — up 5% from the 2002 show — with nearly 20% of visitors traveling from outside the USA, including big delegations from Brazil, Mexico, Japan, China, and Australia," adds Tarsus.

Continues Labelexpo Americas organizer: "The show is acknowledged to have provided the best opportunity this year to network with all the key players; to see working machinery; to learn about new technology; and to do business. With new visitors from both the wider web flexible film converting and sheet-fed printing sectors also now looking for information, ideas, and technology solutions in narrow- to mid-web converting and product decoration, Labelexpo is undoubtedly positioned for future growth."

Tarsus reports that regular exhibitors — ANI Printing Inks, Avery Dennison, BST Pro Mark, Gallus, Gidue, Green Bay Packaging, HP, Kopack, Mark Andy, Nilpeter, Omet, and PCMC — all reported having had an excellent show. "Plus, the many new exhibitors, such as Ciba Specialty, Graphixone, Klockner Pentaplast of America, MPS, Rocheux, and CVC Technologies, were all delighted with the results of their participation," states the organizer.

In addition to a successful exhibition venue, says Tarsus, the Labelexpo Americas 2004 Conference, in association with TLMI (Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute), also proved to be a success with expert speakers presenting sessions on the latest industry trends and technologies to packed rooms.

"For the keynote address, ‘The State of the Label Industry,' given by Raflatac president Dan O’Connell, there was space for standing room only. Other sessions that were particularly well attended included those on Smart Labels, RFID, Digital Printing, and The Future of Label Printing," Tarsus reports.

The Label Industry Global Awards also took place on the first night of Labelexpo Americas, with more 600 people attending the gala dinner. Winners include: